I will answer my own question that might be of use for other astrologers when it comes to tricky DST's.
Zane Stein, Astrologer, Solar Fire Software representative USA
I saw your message about chart in Illiniois with the disputed time zone. I have an answer in two parts, which should explain why there is a time discrepancy. First, it is important to know that in 1959, the entire state of Illinois adopted DST. But it was a gradual coming to that, and parts of the state even as late as 1958 did not observe DST.
Because of this, the STATE government implemented a law in the 1950’s which said, basically, that all birth times were to be recorded in Standard Time in Illinois, whether DST was in effect in that city or now. Belleville WAS one of the cities, in 1958, that had DST, from April 27 – October 26.
However, whether you use DST for the chart or not depends on where they were born. If they were born in a hospital, then even though your time change books may say DST was in effect, you would use CST. On the other hand, if they were born at home, as many people were back then, the time recorded would have been the time on the house clock, and so you would use DST.
Unfortunately, many astrologers use the time they find for a particular state, but don’t research it more deeply to discover the above information. So, check with your client. Was she a home birth, or born in a hospital. Then you will know which chart to use for her.
Sincerely,
Zane B Stein for Esoteric Technologies
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Graham Dawson, creator of Solar Fire Astrology Software
“I agree the SF message is oddly worded - perhaps it is a generic message which should not actually have been displayed in this instance because DST wasn't even in effect on that date in that location. However, if the birth certificate was created according to law, it would have it's stated birth time in CST -6 timezone, whether or not DST was in effect. To instead use CDT -5, you would firstly have to believe both a) that DST was in effect on that date in that location and b) that the law was not applied to this birth certificate (or else wasn't actually even in effect at that time).
Both of those are potentially possible, but my feeling is that CST -6 is the most likely correct timezone. I'm puzzled why apparently six other astrologers would settle on CDT -5 without all having access to some other type of evidence that we and the client do not. Any chance that the first astrologer incorrectly guessed CDT, and then all the five following astrologers were convinced by the client to follow suit, based on the "authority" of the first one? It wouldn't be the first time that people were unduly influenced by an assumed "authority" awarded to others. Timezone history for Illinois is notorious for its messiness and general purpose sources won't be as interested in accuracy as an astrologically vetted source, but bear in mind that even astrological sources (such as ACS) are fallible. And yes - Americans astrologers will likely be better informed - especially anyone who themselves deal a lot with Illinois births.”
